FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014

[olympicoscar]

That Sweden/Portugal WC Playoffs should be real interesting

That's easily the best of the 4 playoffs. I like Portugal.

 

[olympicoscar]

So here are 3 WC draws simulator for the USA

Simulator 1-Brazil, USA, Ivory Coast, and Ukraine- Actually don't think this is group is that bad outside of Brazil. 4 or 5 points should get you out of the group.

Simulator 2-Uruguay, Netherlands, Algeria, and USA- This is a tough group as I can easily see us losing to both Uruguay and Netherlands. Probably would need at least 5 points to get out of the group

Simulator 3-Italy, Columbia, Cameroon, and USA- Another ridiculous group with 2 top teams where we would need at least 5 points to advance.

So I decided to do 3 more to see how it comes out

Simulator 4- Argentina, Ivory Coast, USA, and Bosnia-Herzegovina-WOW..I simulated the standings and they have us winning the group with 5 points lol by scoring 1 goal in 3 games. Two 0-0 draw and a 1-0 win over Ivory Coast.

Simulator 5- Belgium, USA, Greece, and Ivory Coast. They have us and Ivory Coast advancing with 5 points each

Simulator 6- Columbia, USA, Nigeria, and France. Once again they have us winning the group this time with 7 points

Not Found That is the website if you guys want to have some fun with the simulator

Simulator 5-

Just curious why no Asian teams in any of the simulations. Simulator 5 looks like the best to me. A 0-0 draw with Argentina in South America is very dubious to me.

Would also be willing to gamble on Simulator 6.

 

[spacedoodoopistol]

Simulator 1-Brazil, USA, Ivory Coast, and Ukraine- Actually don't think this is group is that bad outside of Brazil. 4 or 5 points should get you out of the group.

Simulator 2-Uruguay, Netherlands, Algeria, and USA- This is a tough group as I can easily see us losing to both Uruguay and Netherlands. Probably would need at least 5 points to get out of the group

Simulator 3-Italy, Columbia, Cameroon, and USA- Another ridiculous group with 2 top teams where we would need at least 5 points to advance.

So I decided to do 3 more to see how it comes out

Simulator 4- Argentina, Ivory Coast, USA, and Bosnia-Herzegovina-WOW..I simulated the standings and they have us winning the group with 5 points lol by scoring 1 goal in 3 games. Two 0-0 draw and a 1-0 win over Ivory Coast.

Simulator 5- Belgium, USA, Greece, and Ivory Coast. They have us and Ivory Coast advancing with 5 points each

Simulator 6- Columbia, USA, Nigeria, and France. Once again they have us winning the group this time with 7 points

To me, the only team listed there that the US *should* beat is Algeria. Cameroon, Greece and Bosnia could go either way (well anything can go either way, but as far as probabilities). Everyone else ranges from better to hard-to-believe-the-US-would-top-them.

Ivory Coast is good with numerous players better than our best, including an arguably top-5 player in the world in Yaya Toure. Ukraine has plenty of quality players, hasn't lost in a year despite playing actual teams unlike the US. And simply, the idea that we'd be predicted to top Argentina and Belgium should indicate there is something seriously wrong in the calculations of that generator.

 

[bksballer89]

Just did a few more and man this draw was brutual

Simulator 7- Spain, USA, Chile, and Italy
Simulator 8- Argentina, USA, Nigeria, and Portugal
Simulator 9- Germany, USA, Croatia, and Ecuador

For some reason seems impossible to get one of those teams from Asia in our group.

I found out why there aren't any teams from ASIA in our groups.The USA and all the ASIA teams are all in Pot 2

 

[bksballer89]

Nice read on BR about the world cup.

The Top Seed Everyone Wants

Switzerland, on account of their unbeaten record in the qualifying process and consistent presence at major international tournaments, have managed to find their way into Pot 1.
That means they avoid the likes of Brazil, Spain and Germany early on and can maximise their chances of getting out of their group.
Just how strong an outfit Ottmar Hitzfeld's troops are, though, remains in question, as a rather easy qualifying group went a long way toward them progressing with seven wins and three draws.

They're the top seed everyone wants to land with in the draw, as despite an emerging crop of good players and a brilliant coach at the helm, they don't pose the threat many of the elite teams in Pot 1 can.
If you miss Switzerland, you're going to want Belgium. As promising as they look, they've no major international tournament experience of note and could be a little spooked by both the occasion and the pressure.


Ties to Avoid

Three unlucky teams will be placed in a group with hosts Brazil, fresh from winning the 2013 Confederations Cup and raring to get going in front of a raucous home crowd.


Three more unlucky teams will land with Argentina, three with Colombia, three with Uruguay, and even if you avoid those, Chile and Ecuador may be lying in wait later in the draw.
South American teams are strong on their home continent, and the World Cup has never been won by a non-Americas side when held in either the South or Central regions.


Areas to Avoid
Certain areas of Brazil are tougher to play in than others, as the world's fifth-largest country boasts a plethora of different terrains, humidity levels and working conditions.
Most stadiums are located along the east coast of Brazil, with a couple of exceptions—Cuiaba and Brasilia—venturing a little further inland. Humidity can reach 98 percent in these areas, but it's a consistent feature in a hot country and teams will have to get used to it.


Salvador and Recife, located approximately 1,500 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro, will be extremely hot locations to play in, and teams will be praying for matches taking place in southern regions of the country. Porto Alegre is the dream venue for that reason.


The one area every team will hope to avoid in its entirety is Manaus, a northern city that borders the Amazon rain forest and boasts one stadium—the Arena da Amazonia—that will host a total of four games.
If you avoid Groups A, D, E and G, you're certain to avoid this nightmare scenario.

Group of Death?
With the pots (largely) predictable, you can begin to forecast a potential "Group of Death" scenario, which incorporates four of the strongest teams that can feasibly be drawn together.
Brazil, as hosts, could head a group that contains Italy, France (should they win their playoff encounter on November) and Mexico (should they qualify).


Argentina could feasibly be paired up with the Netherlands, the Ivory Coast and Japan.


At the other end of the scale, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso and Australia could all be drawn together, making for a nip-and-tuck scenario between all four sides.

 

[olympicoscar]

Nice read on BR about the world cup.

The Top Seed Everyone Wants

Switzerland, on account of their unbeaten record in the qualifying process and consistent presence at major international tournaments, have managed to find their way into Pot 1.
That means they avoid the likes of Brazil, Spain and Germany early on and can maximise their chances of getting out of their group.
Just how strong an outfit Ottmar Hitzfeld's troops are, though, remains in question, as a rather easy qualifying group went a long way toward them progressing with seven wins and three draws.

They're the top seed everyone wants to land with in the draw, as despite an emerging crop of good players and a brilliant coach at the helm, they don't pose the threat many of the elite teams in Pot 1 can.
If you miss Switzerland, you're going to want Belgium. As promising as they look, they've no major international tournament experience of note and could be a little spooked by both the occasion and the pressure.


Ties to Avoid

Three unlucky teams will be placed in a group with hosts Brazil, fresh from winning the 2013 Confederations Cup and raring to get going in front of a raucous home crowd.


Three more unlucky teams will land with Argentina, three with Colombia, three with Uruguay, and even if you avoid those, Chile and Ecuador may be lying in wait later in the draw.
South American teams are strong on their home continent, and the World Cup has never been won by a non-Americas side when held in either the South or Central regions.


Areas to Avoid
Certain areas of Brazil are tougher to play in than others, as the world's fifth-largest country boasts a plethora of different terrains, humidity levels and working conditions.
Most stadiums are located along the east coast of Brazil, with a couple of exceptions—Cuiaba and Brasilia—venturing a little further inland. Humidity can reach 98 percent in these areas, but it's a consistent feature in a hot country and teams will have to get used to it.


Salvador and Recife, located approximately 1,500 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro, will be extremely hot locations to play in, and teams will be praying for matches taking place in southern regions of the country. Porto Alegre is the dream venue for that reason.


The one area every team will hope to avoid in its entirety is Manaus, a northern city that borders the Amazon rain forest and boasts one stadium—the Arena da Amazonia—that will host a total of four games.
If you avoid Groups A, D, E and G, you're certain to avoid this nightmare scenario.

Group of Death?
With the pots (largely) predictable, you can begin to forecast a potential "Group of Death" scenario, which incorporates four of the strongest teams that can feasibly be drawn together.
Brazil, as hosts, could head a group that contains Italy, France (should they win their playoff encounter on November) and Mexico (should they qualify).


Argentina could feasibly be paired up with the Netherlands, the Ivory Coast and Japan.


At the other end of the scale, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso and Australia could all be drawn together, making for a nip-and-tuck scenario between all four sides.

It's going to be extremely hard to beat Brazil in Brazil. Still when it's just one game, anything can happen. No way the US can win, but I'd have to say I can only visualize Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and Germany winning the Cup.

 

[CalamityX11]

Simulator 7- Spain, USA, Chile, and Italy

That would be my vote for Group of Death...

Don't sleep on Colombia, Falco is a great scorer and defensively they are actually good(for once in last the 100 yrs lol) with their lanky bigs...

Argentina isn't as dangerous as they should with Messi IMO.

Look for Germany to be strong as usual.

USA should be good enough to go to the 2nd rd after group play. Think the team is playing well enough under Klings that should make them competitive... could be some SOs....

 

[bksballer89]

Any predictions on the playoffs which begins next week? Here are the matchups

Mexico/New Zealand
Jordan/Uruguay
Portugal/Sweden
Greece/Romania
Ukraine/France
Iceland/Croatia

Remember there are 2 legs

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpWgVJJ7Cdo]USA Fans Chant, "We are going to Brazil" - YouTube[/ame]

 

[ugafan6612]

Any predictions on the playoffs which begins next week? Here are the matchups

Mexico/New Zealand
Jordan/Uruguay
Portugal/Sweden
Greece/Romania
Ukraine/France
Iceland/Croatia

Remember there are 2 legs

Mexico just sucks so bad

 

[lilbravesfan22]

I can't wait for the WC!

 

[Nasty_Magician]

That Portugal/Sweden matchup is rough for both teams as I think they're better than many other teams listed.

 

[olympicoscar]

Any predictions on the playoffs which begins next week? Here are the matchups

Mexico/New Zealand
Jordan/Uruguay
Portugal/Sweden
Greece/Romania
Ukraine/France
Iceland/Croatia
Remember there are 2 legs

My picks

 

[CalamityX11]

Any predictions on the playoffs which begins next week? Here are the matchups

Mexico/New Zealand
Jordan/Uruguay
Portugal/Sweden
Greece/Romania
Ukraine/France
Iceland/Croatia

Remember there are 2 legs

Despite how poor Mexico is playing, if they can't beat NZ, there's going to be a civil war to ensue..

Portugal needs this but Ronaldo needs this more

Hard to believe France is in this position... not!

 

[spacedoodoopistol]

Despite how poor Mexico is playing, if they can't beat NZ, there's going to be a civil war to ensue..

Portugal needs this but Ronaldo needs this more

Hard to believe France is in this position... not!

Agree with all your picks. Its a real shame that either Ronaldo or Zlatan misses the WC.....two best players going right now. Portugal always disappoints me, seems like they should be better considering their talent, but have to pick them over Sweden at least......but could easily go either way. Any of the rest would be fairly significant upsets if they go the other way.

 

[bksballer89]

That Portugal/Sweden matchup is rough for both teams as I think they're better than many other teams listed.

Yeah really sucks that one of them will not be advancing to Brazil

 

[bksballer89]

The key for the opening leg of the playoffs is to try and not get beaten by more than a goal because you would need to do too much in the 2nd leg to advance.

As a road team if you lose 1-0 or 2-1 game you're in good shape heading into the final leg. As a home team you would like to win by at least 2 goals. If you draw or lose, you will be in huge trouble

 

[CalamityX11]

Jordan 0 - Uruguay 5 = First Leg

Uruguay!!! Uruguay!!! Uruguay!!! Uruguay!!! Uruguay!!! Uruguay!!!

 

[olympicoscar]

Mexico doing well in early play against New Zealand. Almost got a goal. New Zealand seems to be standing around and playing defense. Maybe the altitude is bothering them.

 

[olympicoscar]

At 30 minutes, Mexico in total control, but seems to lack the cohesion to make a play and GOAL.

Wow.